[ScouseCat]

The first test of this four match series starts on 6th October, and should be a ripper of a contest. India have a good recent record against Australia, drawing their most recent series 1-1 in Australia last summer, and if this series is half as good as the last one was in India back in 2001, we'll be in for a real cricket treat!

[ScouseCat]

ICC names umpires for India-Australia series

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...24SEP2004.html

1st Test, Bangalore Steve Bucknor and Billy Bowden
2nd Test, Chennai Rudi Koertzen and David Shepherd
3rd Test, Nagpur Aleem Dar and David Shepherd
4th Test, Mumbai Aleem Dar and Rudi Koertzen

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle

[ScouseCat]

Tendulkar to be back for Chennai Test?

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...26SEP2004.html



Sachin Tendulkar, whose absence contributed in no small measure to India's utterly limp display in the ICC Champions Trophy, could be back in action within a fortnight. Dr Anant Joshi, the surgeon who examined him on his return to India earlier this week, told Press Trust of India that the best-case scenario could even see Tendulkar back in time to be part of the squad for the second Test, which starts in Chennai on October 14.

[ScouseCat]

Ponting avoids need for surgery

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/C...25SEP2004.html



Ricky Ponting has avoided the need for surgery on his broken left thumb, and is hopeful of returning to action with Australia's Test team as soon as possible.

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'Doing the little things right'

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...25SEP2004.html



Adam Gilchrist's approach in the opening press conference of the Indian tour was exactly like his batting style – crisp and full of cheer. While admitting that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy had attained iconic status, he maintained that his team didn't want their careers to be judged around this one series.

[ScouseCat]

Shane Warne - Australia



The key to Australia's bowling fortunes in India, Warne will be looking to bowl well not only to help the Aussies to much coverted series win in India, but also to overtake Sri Lankan off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan as the world's leading wicket taker. Warne will have to overcome the strong Indian batting line up, who are known for being good players of spin bowling.

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Matthew Hayden - Australia



One of the world's best batsman, Hayden has the ability to dominate a bowling attack from the start, and is part of a formidable opening partnership with Justin Langer. Last time Australia were in India, Hayden scored over 500 runs in the 3 match series, so the Indians will need to find ways of getting him out cheaply.

[ScouseCat]

Harbhajan Singh - India



Last time the Aussies were in India, Harbhajan was the destroyer with the ball, ripping through the Australian batting line up. There are a few more left-handers to bowl at this time around, but if Harbhajan can get on top of the likes of Hayden, Lehmann and Gilchrist, India will be well on the way to beating the world champions.

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V.V.S. Laxman - India



V.V.S. Laxman has shown in the past that he can stand up to the world class Australian bowling attack, and will once again be hoping to lead the way for India. Laxman is a joy to watch when he is batting well, and like Sachin Tendulkar, has the ability to hit even the best of balls to the boundary. Australia's bowlers will need to come up with a plan to restrict Laxman's scoring as well as get him out cheaply, otherwise we could be chasing big totals.

[OldFanatic]

Originally Posted by ScouseCat

The first test of this four match series starts on 6th October, and should be a ripper of a contest. India have a good recent record against Australia, drawing their most recent series 1-1 in Australia last summer, and if this series is half as good as the last one was in India back in 2001, we'll be in for a real cricket treat!

Hey, I hope this will be fun!

Go, India!!!!!!

I remember the excitement from the last Pakistan - India derby series, and the Boxing day test match with Steve Waugh's retirement. I hope they don't prepare dead tracks for the matches in India. Keep it exciting! It's always fun when India and Australia play each other.

[ScouseCat]

Originally Posted by Chandu

I hope they don't prepare dead tracks for the matches in India. Keep it exciting! It's always fun when India and Australia play each other.

I agree... this series deserves to be played on decent wickets, so hopefully the Indian groundsmen prepare wickets which are fair for both sides.

Australians love a good contest and a challenge, so natuarally playing India in India is something we're all looking forward to down here, especially after the last series there in 2001.

[ScouseCat]

First Test pitch 'terrible': Buchanan

John Buchanan, the Australian coach, described the pitch at Chinnaswamy Stadium as "terrible" as groundsmen scrubbed away the last remnants of grass with steel brushes and the head curator declared: "Spin."



The bone-dry wicket for the first Test at Bangalore could have passed for a 22-yard stretch of desert less than 48 hours before the first ball was due to be bowled on Wednesday, with a network of cracks running from one end of the barren surface to the other.


http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/C...04OCT2004.html

[ScouseCat]

DAY ONE - STUMPS:

Australia: 5 for 316
Clarke 76 not out
Gilchrist 35 not out
Langer 52
Katich 81

Anil Kumble 3 for 86 (including his 400th test wicket)

A great performance by the Aussies on the opening day, especially Michael Clarke making his debut. Hopefully he can go on and make his century, and along with Adam Gilchrist, help us make a big first innings score.